View clinical trials related to Salivary Gland Diseases.
Filter by:Xerostomia or dry mouth is the subjective feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth. It's a frequent symptom in terminally ill patients receiving palliative care, reducing their quality of life and comfort. Usual recommendations in these patients are good oral hygiene and mouthwashes, ad libitum consumption of camomile and lemon juice infusions, and ad libitum sucking of cold (e.g. ice, ice cream) or citric products (e.g. pineapple). Other xerostomia treatments such as artificial saliva and pharmacological drugs (e.g. pilocarpine) are less used in terminally ill patients due to cost and secondary effects. The purpose of this randomized parallel clinical trial is to determine if a new recipe of gelatin with orange juice, cardamome and ginger is more effective in the control of xerostomia than the usual treatment of camomile infusion with lemon juice against. Treatments will be consumed ad libitum during one week. The main outcome is the subjective assessment of dry mouth at end of treatment.
RATIONALE - Radiotherapy is the primary therapeutic strategy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. - Radiotherapy may cause adverse effect such as xerostomia and mucositis. - Amifostine has the ability of protecting the normal tissue but also has some side effects. PURPOSE - This phase II trial is to study the protecting effect and safety of different Amifostine regimens in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
This study will follow patients with salivary gland dysfunction to identify the long-term course of this disorder and its effects on the mouth, oral function, and overall health. Saliva is important in maintaining oral health and comfort. It moistens the mouth, lubricates food for easier swallowing, provides enzymes needed to begin the digestive process and promotes repair and cleansing of soft tissues of the mouth. Decreased salivary production or changes in salivary composition may affect oral and systemic health and cause an increase in tooth decay. Patients 4 years of age and older with dry mouth symptoms and a diagnosis of primary, secondary or incomplete Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s syndrome or salivary gland dysfunction due to radiation may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a complete medical and dental history and blood and saliva tests. Some patients will have a biopsy of the minor salivary glands, usually from the lower lip, to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s syndrome and determine the extent of changes in the salivary glands. (A biopsy is the surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.) The ability to taste and smell may also be evaluated, and patients may have an ultrasound examination of their swallowing function. Participants will have a general oral examination of the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth, general physical examination, eye examination and blood tests and will fill out a questionnaire on oral health and function. In addition, they will have the following tests and procedures: - Identification of possible fungal infection Patients rinse their mouth with 2 teaspoons of a salt-water solution and spit it in a sterile container for laboratory examination. If a fungal infection is detected, treatment will be offered. - Unstimulated salivary function assessment Saliva production is measured by collecting saliva samples through small suction cups connected to collection tubes over the salivary gland ducts in the mouth. - Stimulated salivary function assessment A sour-tasting liquid (2% citric acid) is applied to the top and sides of the tongue at 30-second intervals to stimulation saliva production while saliva is collected using the procedure described above. - Identification of markers of precancerous lesions The salivary gland biopsy done at the screening evaluation (or from outside sources) is examined for markers of precancerous lesions, as about 5 percent of patients with Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren's syndrome develop a tumor called Non-Hodgkin s lymphoma. In some cases, the minor salivary glands may be re-biopsied a few years after the screening biopsy. Patients will be followed once a year with a comprehensive history and physical examination, eye examination, full oral examination, salivary function assessment and questionnaires about signs and symptoms of salivary gland dysfunction.
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the male hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in treating Sjogren's syndrome. This autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks the salivary glands and tear glands, affects primarily women. Patients' eyes and mouth become drier over time, and can lead to problems such as serious tooth decay and eye irritations. Sex hormones seem to influence the immune response and may help decrease disease severity. DHEA has benefited some patients with two other autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Women 18 to 75 years of age with Sjogren's syndrome may be eligible for this 7-month study. At the initial visit, candidates will have a physical examination, routine blood and urine tests and eye and dental examinations, including a test to measure saliva production for screening purposes and to establish baseline values for participants. Those enrolled in the study will be randomly assigned to take either DHEA or placebo (look-alike tablet with no active ingredient) once a day for 6 months and will be monitored with follow-up visits at months 1, 3, 6 and 7. Physical examination, blood tests and urinalysis will be repeated at months 1, 3, 6 and 7; saliva will be collected at months 3, 6 and 7; and eyes will be examined at 3 and 6 months. Because hormone changes may have both physical and emotional effects, patients will be asked questions about their mood, symptoms and side effects of treatment. It is not known if Sjogren's syndrome is associated with osteoporosis (bone thinning), but since this condition occurs in other autoimmune disorders, patient's bone density will be measured at the first visit, and blood drawn at 3 and 6 months will be tested for various substances associated with changes in bone density. A 24-hour urine collection at the first visit and later urine tests will also be tested for substances associated with bone thinning.
Saliva is critical in maintaining oral health and comfort. Our laboratory has investigated several disorders of salivary glands. The purpose of this protocol is to obtain data from healthy volunteers for comparison with data from patients with salivary dysfunction. We plan to utilize the NIH Clinical Center Clinical Research Volunteer Program to solicit paid participation from healthy adults. Study procedures are accomplished in 2-3 outpatient visits that include an interview, saliva collection, lip biopsy, clinical laboratory studies, dry eye examination, and lip biopsy follow up, as needed. These are routine diagnostic procedures. Biopsy specimens may be used in clinical and laboratory studies, such as in vitro biochemical analysis or in vivo transplantation. Some of the Healthy Volunteers may be asked to participate in an MRI study of the salivary glands.